Teacher wins in MCP primary elections in Mchinji West

A Mkanda Secondary School head teacher Jephther Mwale on Saturday emerged winner in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Mchinji West primary elections ahead of the parliamentary by-elections slated for May 10, 2016.

Mwale before the polls. Pic by Sarah Munthali, Mana

Mwale who amassed 571 votes beat six other contestants who included former legislatures for the area Henry Fwataki and Theresa Gloria Mwale and former People’s Party (PP) candidate in the May 2014 elections Patricia Banda.

MCP Director of Elections Maxwell Thyolera told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that the party’s 911 area, constituency and district committee members for the district were allowed to vote in the primaries held at Kochilira Ground.

“The elections were held in a free and fair manner, the actual voting took place in an open ground for transparency purposes and Mwale emerged winner [and] will contest for our party in the May 10 by elections,” he explained.

However, it is not yet known if Mwale has resigned as a head teacher to pursue his political ambition. Several attempts to talk to Mwale proved futile, as he told this reporter that he was busy since Saturday.

The MCP Director of elections told MANA that Mwale has the right to participate in the elections.

“People come from diverse backgrounds, others are civil servants just like he is, but the law requires one to step down if he is a public officer before nomination day,” said Thyolera.

Mchinji West Constituency fell vacant after the sudden death of former MCP parliamentarian for the area Billy Kanjira Banda who died on 13th March, 2016.

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announced the by elections will be held on May 10 depending on the availability of funds from government.

The constituency is one of the biggest in the district with 59,103 registered voters, stretching from the Boma in the central business district to the border with Zambia.